Monday, 5/7/07 at 2:44 PM
by Sara Jarrell
by Sara Jarrell
Flat Prevention
So we have all been plagued at one time or another with the cursed flat. There are a couple of ways to help prevent flats, some that do not even require spending a grip of cash or adding a load of weight to your bike.
For many riders, it’s easy to grab your cruiser out of its winter shelter in the garage and hop right on for the perennial spring outing only to get down the driveway and be halted by none other than TWO flat tires. You will probably swear to yourself that when you tucked your bike in for winter hibernation that both tires had plenty of air- whatever could have happened? Well I am here to tell you that naturally, and without the help of any flat gremlins lurking in the safety of your garage, that tires do lose air all by their lonesome. The cruiser you so carefully laid to rest with nice plump tires and probably a fresh tune up slowly and naturally bled every last psi of air right out of those blasted tires. So before you jump on that cruiser for its inaugural procession, please take a moment and give the gift of air pressure.
So it is true that one of the easiest and least expensive ways to prevent flats, whether your bike is fresh from storage or if you ride year round, is to maintain adequate air pressure in both tires. Most tires come with a recommended air pressure that can be found on the sidewall of the tire. The recommended pressure will usually be listed as a psi or bars measurement, accompanied by a range of pressure that is adequate. This range allows the rider flexibility to choose how much pressure they think is appropriate depending on what kind of terrain they maybe riding. Keeping your tire inflated and within the recommended psi will help prevent pinch flats, caused from the tube being pinched by the rim and riding surface when the tire is under inflated. Checking your tire inflation before every ride is a good way to avoid under inflation. I recommend getting a floor pump with a gauge so you know exactly how much air you have in your tires.
Another popular way to prevent punctures is to install some sort of resistance whether in the form of a force field generated by riders who still believe in the flat fairy, or a less force field-like tire liner, slimed tube, or puncture resistant tubes and tires.
• A tire liner is a strip of plastic that can be installed in between the tube and the inside of the tire. It is effective in resisting punctures from objects like glass and thorns, although they may cause flats if not installed correctly. Liners do add a bit of weight to one’s bike, and is not recommended on narrower (700/650 x 23c) road racing tires.
• Slimed tubes are tubes that contain a self-healing slime that is good for smaller punctures but will fail with larger punctures or pinch flats. The slime slows the air loss from a small puncture but does not completely heal the puncture allowing a rider to get home or to their local bike shop for repair. So it is recommended that you change out or patch your tube after you have experienced a flat with a slime tube.
• Puncture resistant tubes are tubes that are composed of a thicker rubber than a regular tube. The thickness of this tube helps prevent shorter thorns and small glass slivers from penetrating the tube to the point that air is lost. With these tubes it is still recommended that a rider check their tires from time to time to try and remove any thorns, glass, and other debris that could over time be pushed through this thick tube and cause a puncture. These tubes are also heavy and can cause a bike to feel a bit sluggish in comparison with its counterparts.
• Puncture resistant tires are tires that have a Kevlar belt under the tread surface of a tire. This belt helps to keep thorns, glass, and other smaller debris at bay but still fails when it comes to nails and larger puncturing objects. These tires are heavy, causing slight rolling resistance and can be a bit pricey but are often the best bet for commuters, recreational riders, and those who are in flat agony. Some companies have started trying to make more performance oriented tires in a puncture resistant Kevlar belt version they may be worth a try for putting on those training miles with minimal flats, but not recommended for racing.
• If the flat fairy is the route that you have chosen for your flat prevention needs then Godspeed.
So air up and get rolling!
Sara
For many riders, it’s easy to grab your cruiser out of its winter shelter in the garage and hop right on for the perennial spring outing only to get down the driveway and be halted by none other than TWO flat tires. You will probably swear to yourself that when you tucked your bike in for winter hibernation that both tires had plenty of air- whatever could have happened? Well I am here to tell you that naturally, and without the help of any flat gremlins lurking in the safety of your garage, that tires do lose air all by their lonesome. The cruiser you so carefully laid to rest with nice plump tires and probably a fresh tune up slowly and naturally bled every last psi of air right out of those blasted tires. So before you jump on that cruiser for its inaugural procession, please take a moment and give the gift of air pressure.
So it is true that one of the easiest and least expensive ways to prevent flats, whether your bike is fresh from storage or if you ride year round, is to maintain adequate air pressure in both tires. Most tires come with a recommended air pressure that can be found on the sidewall of the tire. The recommended pressure will usually be listed as a psi or bars measurement, accompanied by a range of pressure that is adequate. This range allows the rider flexibility to choose how much pressure they think is appropriate depending on what kind of terrain they maybe riding. Keeping your tire inflated and within the recommended psi will help prevent pinch flats, caused from the tube being pinched by the rim and riding surface when the tire is under inflated. Checking your tire inflation before every ride is a good way to avoid under inflation. I recommend getting a floor pump with a gauge so you know exactly how much air you have in your tires.
Another popular way to prevent punctures is to install some sort of resistance whether in the form of a force field generated by riders who still believe in the flat fairy, or a less force field-like tire liner, slimed tube, or puncture resistant tubes and tires.
• A tire liner is a strip of plastic that can be installed in between the tube and the inside of the tire. It is effective in resisting punctures from objects like glass and thorns, although they may cause flats if not installed correctly. Liners do add a bit of weight to one’s bike, and is not recommended on narrower (700/650 x 23c) road racing tires.
• Slimed tubes are tubes that contain a self-healing slime that is good for smaller punctures but will fail with larger punctures or pinch flats. The slime slows the air loss from a small puncture but does not completely heal the puncture allowing a rider to get home or to their local bike shop for repair. So it is recommended that you change out or patch your tube after you have experienced a flat with a slime tube.
• Puncture resistant tubes are tubes that are composed of a thicker rubber than a regular tube. The thickness of this tube helps prevent shorter thorns and small glass slivers from penetrating the tube to the point that air is lost. With these tubes it is still recommended that a rider check their tires from time to time to try and remove any thorns, glass, and other debris that could over time be pushed through this thick tube and cause a puncture. These tubes are also heavy and can cause a bike to feel a bit sluggish in comparison with its counterparts.
• Puncture resistant tires are tires that have a Kevlar belt under the tread surface of a tire. This belt helps to keep thorns, glass, and other smaller debris at bay but still fails when it comes to nails and larger puncturing objects. These tires are heavy, causing slight rolling resistance and can be a bit pricey but are often the best bet for commuters, recreational riders, and those who are in flat agony. Some companies have started trying to make more performance oriented tires in a puncture resistant Kevlar belt version they may be worth a try for putting on those training miles with minimal flats, but not recommended for racing.
• If the flat fairy is the route that you have chosen for your flat prevention needs then Godspeed.
So air up and get rolling!
Sara
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